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DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR 
UNITED  STATES  RECLAMATION  SERVICE 


REGULATIONS 

GOVERNING  OPERATION  AND  MAINTENANCE 
OF  IRRIGATION  WORKS 

STATE  OF  WASHINGTON 

APPROVED  BY 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  INTERIOR 

APRIL  24,  1911 


AND 


Instructions  for  Water  Users  and  for  Employees  whose 

Diitips  Pertain  to  Qperatioii-^d  Maintenance 

:  r>T:-.' ^^^♦To  rvrp^  vT^'^^■MJ 


1911 


DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR 
^NITED  STATES  RECLAMATIONkERVICE 

REGULATIONS 

GOVERNING  OPERATION  AND  MAINTENANCE 
OF  IRRIGATION  WORKS 

STATE  OF  WASHINGTON 

APPROVED  BY 

THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  INTERIOR 

APRIL  24,  1911 


AND 


instructions  for  Water  Users  and  for  Employees  whose 
Duties  Pertain  to  Operation  and  Maintenance 


1911 


M 


DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR 
UNITED  STATES  RECLAMATION  SERVICE 

Washington,  D.  C,  April  24,  1911. 

REGULATIONS  GOVERNING  OPERATION  AND 
MAINTENANCE  OF  IRRIGATION  WORKS,  FOR 
PROJECTS  IN  THE  STATE  OF  WASHINGTON 

1.  The  Reclamation  Service  will  operate  and  main- 
tain the  reservoirs,  diversion  works,  canals,  laterals 
and  sublaterals  having  a  capacity  of  ten  (10)  second- 
feet  or  more  and  the  cost  of  their  operation  and  main- 
tenance will  be  included  in  the  operation  and  mainte- 
nance charges  of  the  project.  All  canals,  laterals  and 
sublaterals  of  less  than  ten  (10)  second-feet  capacity, 
as  designated  by  the  Reclamation  Service,  shall  be 
operated  and  maintained  and  the  cost  of  their  opera- 
tion and  maintenance  paid  by  the  water  users  directly, 
but  the  Reclamation  Service  will  exercise  general 
supervision  over  all  operations. 

2.  Only  those  water  users  who  have  paid  the  opera- 
tion and  maintenance  charges  for  the  current  and  pre- 
vious years  are  entitled  to  the  use  of  water.  Delivery 
of  water  will  be  made  only  on  request  in  writing,  and 
when  in  progress  will  be  continuous,  day  and  night. 
Request  blanks  will  be  furnished,  and  boxes  in  which 
the  requests  for  water  may  be  deposited  will  be  placed 
at  headgates.  Requests  for  delivery,  changing  rate  of 
delivery,  or  ending  delivery  of  water  shall  be  made  at 
least  36  hours  in  advance.  All  deliveries  of  water  will 
be  under  the  control  of  the  United  States  and  change 
in  the  supply  delivered  on  portions  of  the  system 
operated  by  the  Reclamation  Service  shall  under  no  cir- 
'^nmstances  be  made  by  any  person  other  than  an  officer 

the    Reclamation    Service.     On    canal    divisions, 


1 


159 


change  in  supply  delivered  shall  be  made  only  by  an 
oflScer  of  the  Reclamation  Service  or  by  the  division 
ditch  tender.  This  rule  is  necessary  for  the  safeguard- 
ing of  the  canal  system  and  anyone  who  violates  it 
will  be  vigorously  prosecuted  under  the  state  law 
applicable  thereto.  Delivery  of  water  will  not  be  made 
through  any  portion  of  the  distribution  system  not 
properly  cleaned  or  which,  from  any  cause,  is  not  in 
serviceable  condition.  Delivery  of  the  amount  of 
water  to  which  each  canal  division  is  entitled  will  be 
made  at  the  head  of  such  canal  division  by  the  Recla- 
mation Service,  and  no  change  in  amount  so  delivered 
shall  be  made  by  any  person  other  than  an  officer  of  the 
Reclamation  Service. 

3.  Canal  divisions  as  provided  for  in  article  7,  sec- 
tion 4,  of  the  by-laws  of  the  water  users'  association 
must  be  organized  for  the  operation  and  maintenance 
of  such  portions  of  the  distribution  system  as  are  not 
maintained  by  the  Reclamation  Service,  and  upon  the 
execution  of  a  proper  agreement  between  the  water 
users'  association  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 
these  canal  divisions  may  include  portions  of  the  distri- 
bution system  now  operated  and  maintained  by  the 
Reclamation  Service.  The  boundaries  of  all  canal  divi- 
sions must  be  approved  by  the  project  engineer.  Such 
portions  of  the  distribution  system  as  are  included  in 
canal  divisions  must  be  operated  and  maintained  in 
accordance  with  instructions,  rules  and  regulations  for 
operation  and  maintenance  issued  by  the  Reclamation 
Service  from  time  to  time. 

4.  All  works  constructed  or  acquired  by  the  Reclama- 
tion Service  are  the  property  of  the  United  States  and 
must  be  respected  accordingly.  No  structure,  fence, 
bridge,  or  obstruction  of  any  kind  shall  be  placed  upon 
the  right  of  way  or  other  property  of  the  United  States, 
except  upon  written  agreement  with  or  license  from  the 
official  in  charge  of  the  project,  subject  to  the  approval 
of  the  proper  officer  of  the  Reclamation  Service. 


5.  Eights  of  way  over  public  lands  entered  subse- 
quent to  October  2,  1888,  are  reserved  to  the  United 
States  by  the  acts  of  Congress  approved  August  30, 
1890,  and  March  3,  1891.  Over  such  lands  the  width 
of  the  right  of  way  will  be  that  which  is  required  to 
provide  for  satisfactory  operation  and  maintenance  of 
the  canal  or  lateral. 

6.  Beneficial  use  of  water  is  the  basis  of  all  Govern- 
ment water  rights  and  the  wasteful  use  of  water  is 
prohibited.  Each  water  user  is  responsible  for  drain- 
age water  from  his  lands  and  must,  at  his  own  expense, 
provide  all  necessary  drains  therefor. 

7.  The  Reclamation  Service  is  not  obligated  to  fur- 
nish water  for  any  other  purpose  than  for  irrigation. 

8.  In  general,  the  number  of  deliveries  or  measuring 
boxes  installed  will  be  as  small  as  possible  on  that 
portion  of  the  distribution  system  operated  by  the 
United  States.  On  lands  having  a  Government  water 
right,  one  delivery  to  each  farm  unit  or  Government 
subdivision  of  forty  acres  will  be  the  unit  adopted. 
On  lands  having  water  rights  from  old  canal  compa- 
nies and  receiving  water  through  Reclamation  works, 
not  more  than  one  delivery  for  each  original  contract 
will  be  the  basis.  Additional  measuring  boxes  will  be 
installed  only  when  approved  in  writing  by  the  project 
engineer  and  they  will  not  be  installed  simply  to  avoid 
the  expenditure  by  the  landowner  of  a  reasonable 
sum  in  fluming  or  piping  the  water  across  depressions, 
or  because  of  the  subdivision  of  units  noted  above 
into  smaller  tracts  under  different  ownership. 

9.  No  one  but  an  authorized  agent  or  ofiQcer  of  the 
Reclamation  Service  shall  operate,  either  to  open  or 
close,  or  otherwise  interfere  with,  any  gate,  structure 
or  other  irrigation  device  under  the  control  of  the 
Service. 

10.  It  is  necessary,  for  the  health  of  the  people  and 
for  the  proper  operation  of  the  canals,  that  the  canal 
water  be  kept  clean.     It  is  forbidden  to  throw  any- 


G 

thing  into  the  canals  or  laterals,  and  it  is  expected 
that  all  settlers  will  cooperate  in  enforcing  this  regu- 
lation. 

11.  It  is  the  policy  of  the  Reclamation  Service  to  see 
that  all  water  users  are  served  with  water  for  the  irri- 
gation of  their  lands  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of 
the  water-right  application  or  contract  under  which 
they  are  entitled  to  water,  and  to  deliver  this  water  at 
such  times  and  in  such  quantities  as  will  produce  the 
best  possible  results  for  the  settlers  as  a  whole,  con- 
sistent with  reasonable  economy  in  the  maintenance 
and  operation  of  the  system.  It  is  also  the  duty  of  the 
Reclamation  Service  to  conserve  the  available  water 
supply  to  the  greatest  possible  extent  in  order  that  the 
maximum  amount  of  land  available  may  eventually  be 
brought  under  cultivation.  The  success  of  the  water 
users  is  most  earnestly  desired  and  will  be  furthered 
in  every  feasible  way.  Since  the  settlers  must  event- 
ually pay  the  costs,  there  should  be  no  question  as  to 
their  hearty  cooperation  in  all  matters  affecting  the 
economical  and  efficient  operation  and  maintenannce 
of  the  canals  and  structures.  It  is  expected  that  every 
settler  will  instantly  assist  in  stopping  a  break  or  in 
protecting  the  structures  and  will  give  prompt  notice 
to  the  superintendent  of  irrigation  or  patrolman  in 
case  of  breaks  or  threatened  danger  to  any  part  of  the 
system. 

12.  The  Reclamation  Service  will,  from  time  to  time, 
issue  such  instructions  as  are  necessary  to  carry  out 
these  regulations. 


"^to^ 


F.  H.  Newell, 

Director. 


Approved,  April  24,  1911 : 
Walter  L.  Fisher, 

Secretary, 


DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR 
UNITED  STATES  RECLAMATION   SERVICE 

STATE  OF  WASHINGTON 


INSTRUCTIONS 

For  Water  Users  and  for  Employees  whose 

Duties  Pertain  to  Operation 

and  Maintenance 


APPROVED  BY 

THE  SUPERVISING  ENGINEER,  WASHINGTON  DIVISION, 

APRIL  1,  1911 


1911 


8 

CONTENTS 

Par.    Page 
Instructions  for  water  users 

Mutual  obligations  of  Reclamation  Serv- 
ice and  water  users 1  10 

Special    instructions 2  11 

Sales  of  water  rights  for  private  lands 

Character  of  title  necessary 3  11 

Residence  or  occupancy 4  11 

Area  for  which  water  may  be  obtained  5  11 

Public  notice  and  water-right  application 

Method  of  procedure 6  12 

Payments    7  12 

Delivery  of  water 

Time  when  charges  must  be  paid 8  13 

Advance  notice  of  water  service 9  13 

Where  water  deliveries  will  be  made. . .  10  13 

Penalty  for  interference 11  13 

Rights  of  way 

Right  of  way  of  defined  width 12  14 

Erection  of  fences  or  other  structures. .  13  14 
Expense  of  fencing  to  be  borne  by  land- 
owners    14  15 

Right  of  way  of  undefined  width 15  15 

Access  by  agents  of  the  United  States. .  16  15 

Waste  or  drainage  water 

Excessive  supply  of  water 17  15 

Drainage 18  16 

Canal  division 

Organization    19  16 

Delivery  of  water 20  16 

Instructions    for    employees    whose    duties 

pertain  to  operation  and  maintenance 

Objects    of    operation    and    maintenance 

department   21  16 

Cooperation  by  employees 22  17 

Communications,  orders  and  circulars...  23  17 


9 

Par.    Page 

Definition  of  terms  used 24  17 

Duties  of  patrolmen 

Daily  routine 25-35 

Keports  by  telephone , .   36-38 

Records  and  mail  reports 39-43 

Daily  water  record,  Form  7-308 40 

Card  for  requesting  delivery  or  stop- 
page of  water,  Form  7-307 41 

Time-sheet  and  daily  force  report...   42 

House   diary 43 

Delivery  of  water 44 

Water  supply  book 45 

Water  measurements 46 

Telephone    lines 47-54 

Important  causes  of  trouble 47 

Fuse  burning  out 48 

Short  circuit 49-50 

Broken    wire 51-52 

Cooperation  with  hydrographer 55 

Responsibility  for  care  of  government 

property 56 

Encroachment  on  government  property 

Private   structures 57 

Reporting  encroachments 58 

Interference  with   flow   of  water  in 

irrigation  workj^ 59 

Maintenance   of   canals 

General  repairs 60 

Minor  or  protective  repairs 61 

Reporting  repairs  needed 62 

Authority    63 

Weeds    64 

Clear   fills 65 

Burrowing   animals QQ 

Maintenance  of  laterals  and  sublaterals  67-72 


10 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR 

UNITED  STATES  RECLAMATION  SERVICE 

STATE  OF  WASHINGTON 

North  Yakima,  Washington,  April  1,  1911. 

INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  WATER  USERS  AND  FOR 
EMPLOYEES  WHOSE  DUTIES  PERTAIN  TO 
OPERATION  AND  MAINTENANCE 


INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  WATER  USERS 

mutual  obligations  of  reclamation  service  and  water 

USERS 

1.  It  is  the  first  duty  of  the  operation  and  mainte- 
nance department  of  the  Reclamation  Service  to  see 
that  all  water  users  are  served  with  water  for  the  irri- 
gation of  their  lands  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of 
the  water-right  application  or  contract  under  which 
they  are  entitled  to  water  and  to  deliver  this  water 
at  such  times  and  in  such  quantities  as  will  assure 
the  best  result  to  the  water  users  consistent  with  a 
reasonable  economy  in  maintenance  and  operation  of 
the  system.  From  a  broader  point  of  view,  however,  it 
is  also  the  duty  of  the  Reclamation  Service  to  con- 
serve the  available  water  supply  to  the  greatest  possible 
extent,  in  order  that  the  maximum  amount  of  land 
available  may  eventually  be  brought  under  cultivation. 
Certain  portions  of  every  long-established  irrigation 
project,  where  lax  methods  have  permitted  the  excessive 
use  of  water,  have  demonstrated  conclusively  the  evil 
results  of  such  practice,  and  every  water  user  should 
appreciate  that  in  using  an  excessive  amount  of  water 
he  is  not  only  hindering  the  greater  development  of  the 
project  as  a  whole,  with  the  added  facilities  of  better 


11 

transportation,  better  markets,  and  better  home  and 
social  advantages  which  such  development  will  bring, 
but  that  he  is  also  producing  an  inevitable  and  serious 
injury  to  his  own  lands,  and  reducing  both  the  quantity 
and  the  quality  of  his  crops.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is 
the  duty  of  the  individual  water  user  to  utilize  to  the 
best  possible  advantage  the  water  furnished,  at  such 
times  as  it  may  be  found  practicable  to  deliver  the 
same,  and  to  cooperate  with  the  Reclamation  Service 
in  every  way  that  may  lead  to  economy  and  efficiency 
in  use  of  water,  and  in  the  operation  and  maintenance 
of  the  canal  system. 

SPECIAL   INSTRUCTIONS 

2.  Such  special  instructions  as  may  be  necessary  in 
connection  with  water  delivery  or  other  matters  on  each 
project  will  be  promulgated  as  occasion  arises.  Infor- 
mation regarding  these  special  instructions  will  be 
posted  on  the  bulletin  board  at  the  project  headquar- 
ters and  also  mailed  to  each  individual  water  user  and 
to  each  employee  charged  with  making  water  deliveries. 

SALES  OF  WATER  RIGHTS  FOR  PRIVATE  LANDS 

3.  Character  of  title  necessary.  By  the  terms  of  the 
reclamation  act  the  sale  of  a  water  right  can  only  be 
made  to  the  owner  of  the  land,  or  to  one  who  has  ini- 
tiated a  right  in  the  land  which  will  ripen  into  a  fee 
simple  title  at  or  before  the  time  when  the  last  annual 
payment  for  the  water  right  is  to  become  due,  as,  for 
example,  a  purchase  under  contract. 

4.  Residence  or  occupancy.  No  sale  of  water  right 
may  be  made  to  any  landowner  unless  he  is  a  bona  fide 
resident  upon  the  land,  or  an  occupant  thereof  residing 
within  fifty  miles. 

5.  Area  for  which  water  may  he  oh  tainted.  The  num- 
ber of  acres  for  which  water  right  may  be  sold  to  any 
one  landowner  is  fixed  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 
by  public  notice  for  each  project,  or  unit  of  a  project, 


12 

and  in  no  case  can  exceed  one  hundred  and  sixty  (160) 
acres. 

PUBLIC  NOTICE  AND  WATER-RIGHT  APPLICATION 

6.  Method  of  procedure.  When  water  is  available  for 
delivery  for  the  irrigation  of  any  land,  public  notice 
thereof  will  be  issued  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 
pursuant  to  section  4  of  the  reclamation  act.  Each 
entryman  or  owner  of  land  within  the  area  covered  by 
such  public  notice  must  have  subscribed  his  land  in 
the  water  users'  association,  where  such  association 
exists,  before  he  can  make  application  for  water  right; 
he  must  then  apply  to  the  local  land  office  for  a  blank 
form  of  water-right  application,  which  should  be  prop- 
erly filled  in,  and  certified  to  by  the  secretary  of  the 
water  users'  association  and  by  the  project  engineer. 
The  application  should  then  be  properly  executed  by 
him,  and,  together  with  such  charges  as  have  been 
assessed  in  the  public  notice  and  are  due  and  payable, 
presented  to  the  local  land  office  for  acceptance.  Upon 
the  presentation  to  the  project  engineer,  or  authorized 
agent  of  the  Reclamation  Service  in  charge  of  the  deliv- 
ery of  water  upon  the  project,  of  proper  evidence  of  the 
acceptance  of  such  water-right  application,  and  the 
compliance  by  the  applicant  with  all  the  requirements 
in  connection  therewith,  water  will  be  furnised  under 
the  instructions  hereinafter  set  forth. 

7.  Payments.  Payments  for  water  right  under  the 
reclamation  act  are  divided  into  two  classes,  as  fol- 
lows :  first,  building  charge,  and  second,  operation  and 
maintenance  charge,  both  of  which  are  payable  at  the 
local  land  office,  in  the  manner  designated  in  the  public 
notice  and  water-right  application.  Regardless  of  the 
number  of  annual  instalments  chosen  by  the  applicant 
in  which  to  make  this  payment,  which  must  not  be  more 
than  ten,  he  may,  upon  the  reclamation  and  cultivation 
of  one-half  of  his  irrigable  area,  pay  all  deferred 
charges  in  full,  and  secure  evidence  of  a  permanent 
water  right. 


p» 


13 

DELIVERY  OF  WATER 


8.  Time  tvhen  charges  must  he  paid.  Before  water 
will  be  delivered  in  any  year,  all  charges  for  operation 
and  maintenance  which  have  been  levied  for  that  year 
and  prior  years  must  be  paid  in  full,  and  the  laterals, 
sublaterals,  and  other  conduits  through  which  water 
is  to  be  conducted  to  the  land,  must  be  in  serviceable 
condition. 

9.  Advance  notice  of  water  service.  When  a  water 
user  desires  water  service,  he  must  give  notice,  in  per- 
son, by  mail,  or  through  a  patrolman,  to  the  project 
engineer,  at  least  three  (3)  days  in  advance  of  the  time 
when  it  is  desired  that  water  shall  be  turned  either  on 
or  off. 

10.  Where  water  deliveries  ivill  he  made.  Water  will 
be  delivered  to  the  water  users  by  an  employee  of  the 
Reclamation  Service,  as  provided  in  the  various  con- 
tracts with  the  water  users  and  water  users'  associa- 
tions or  by  water-right  applications,  at  the  weirs  or 
measuring  boxes  installed  for  that  purpose,  upon  proper 
notice,  as  provided  in  paragraph  9.  Where  two  or  more 
water  users  receive  water  from  the  same  point  of  deliv- 
ery, the  distribution  of  the  water  among  the  several 
separately  owned  tracts  must  be  handled  by  coopera- 
tion among  the  water  users.  Water  users  must  not, 
under  any  circumstances,  interfere  with  any  flume, 
lateral,  division  box,  check,  ditch,  or  pipe  line  used  for 
the  measurement  and  distribution  of  water,  or  divert 
water  at  any  place,  or  in  any  manner,  other  than  that 
provided  by  the  Reclamation  Service. 

11.  Penalty  for  interference.  The  statutes  of  the 
State  of  Washington  governing  this  matter  (L.  1909, 
p.  721)  provide  as  follows: 

"Be  it  enacted  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Wash- 
ington: 

Section  1.  That  any  person  or  persons  who  shaU  wilfully 
interfere  with,  injure  or  destroy  any  dam,  dike,  headgate,  weir. 


14 

canal  or  reservoir,  flume  or  other  structure  or  appliance  for 
the  diversion,  carriage,  storage,  apportionment,  or  measure- 
ment of  water  for  irrigation,  reclamation,  power,  or  other 
beneficial  uses,  or  shall  wilfully  injure  or  destroy  any  tele- 
graph, telephone  or  electric  transmission  line,  or  any  other 
property  owned,  occupied,  or  controlled  by  any  person,  asso- 
ciation, or  corporation,  or  by  the  United  States,  and  used  in 
connection  with  said  beneficial  use  of  water,  shall  be  guilty  of 
a  misdemeanor. 

Section  2.  Any  person  or  persons  who  shall  wilfully  or 
unlawfully  take  or  use  water,  or  conduct  the  same  into  his 
ditch  or  to  his  land,  or  land  occupied  by  him,  and  for  such 
purposes  shall  cut,  dig,  break  down  or  open  any  headgates, 
bank,  embankment,  canal,  or  reservoir,  flume  or  conduit,  or 
interfere,  injure,  or  destroy  any  weir,  measuring  box  or  other 
appliance  for  the  apportionment  and  measurement  of  water 
with  intent  maliciously  to  injure  any  person,  association,  or 
corporation,  or  the  United  States,  or  for  his  or  her  gain,  or 
with  intention  of  stealing  or  unlawfully  taking  or  causing  to 
run  or  pour  out  of  such  structure  or  appliance  any  water  for 
his  or  her  own  private  benefit  or  advantage,  to  the  injury  of 
anj^  other  person,  association  or  corporation,  or  the  United 
States,  lawfully  in  use  of  such  water  or  of  such  structure  or 
appliance,  shall  be  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor. 

Section  3.  The  use  of  water  through  such  structure  or 
structures,  appliance  or  appliances  hereinbefore  named  after 
its  or  their  having  been  interfered  with,  injured  or  destroyed, 
shall  be  prima  facie  evidence  of  the  guilt  of  the  person  so 
using  it. 

Section  4.  Any  person  or  persons  convicted  of  committing 
any  of  the  misdemeanors  herein  specified,  or  of  any  of  said 
offences,  shall  be  fined  not  less  than  twenty-five  dollars,  nor 
more  than  one  hundred  dollars,  or  be  imprisoned  in  the  county 
jail  not  exceeding  six  months,  or  both,  in  the  discretion  of  the 
court. 

RIGHTS  OF  WAY 

12.  Right  of  way  of  defined  width,  A  defined  right 
of  way  for  canals,  laterals,  and  sublaterals  having  a 
capacity  of  ten  cubic  feet  per  second,  or  over,  has  been 
acquired  by  the  United  States.  This  right  of  way  is  of 
varying  widths,  and  is  shown  on  a  map  on  file  in  the 
ofifice  of  the  project  engineer. 

13.  Erection  of  fences  or  other  structures.  No  fences, 
or  structures  of  any  kind,  shall  be  built  on,  or  across 


15 


any  canal,  lateral,  or  snblateral  having  a  capacity  of 
ten  or  more  cubic  feet  per  second  or  over  the  right  of 
way  thereof,  and  no  structure  or  other  obstruction  of 
any  kind  maintained  thereon,  except  under  written  con- 
tract or  license  granted  by  the  project  engineer. 

14.  Expense  of  fencing  to  he  home  hy  landowners. 
Fencing  of  right  of  way  along  canals,  laterals,  or  sub- 
laterals  having  a  capacity  of  ten  or  more  cubic  feet  per 
second,  will  be  at  the  discretion  and  expense  of  abut- 
ting landowners.  Should  the  landowners  desire  to 
fence  the  right  of  way  along  any  such  canal  or  lateral, 
they  may  have  the  right  of  way  limits  staked  out  for 
them  by  the  Reclamation  Service,  by  making  applica- 
tion to  the  proper  officer. 

15.  Right  of  way  of  undefined  width.  The  United 
States  under  various  contracts  and  legal  rights  has 
acquired  rights  of  way  for  all  canals,  laterals,  and  sub- 
laterals,  of  whatever  size.  For  canals,  laterals,  and  sub- 
laterals  having  a  capacity  of  less  than  ten  cubic  feet  per 
second,  only  so  much  right  of  way  is  claimed  as  is 
necessary  for  the  proper  operation  and  maintenance  of 
such  canals,  laterals,  or  sublaterals.  As  this  is  usually 
small,  the  width  of  this  right  of  way  has  not  been 
defined. 

IG.  Access  hy  agents  of  the  United  States.  The  duly 
authorized  agent  of  the  United  States  shall  at  all  times 
have  access  to  and  egress  from  the  right  of  way  for 
such  canals,  laterals,  or  sublaterals,  and  no  fence  or 
other  obstruction  shall  be  built  in  such  way  as  to  inter- 
fere with  reasonable  operation  thereof,  or  obstruct  the 
flow  of  water  therein.  Where  fences  are  constructed 
across  such  laterals  or  sublaterals  proper  gates  must 
be  installed  if  requested  by  the  project  engineer. 

WASTE  OR  DRAINAGE  WATER 

17.  Excessive  supply  of  water.  Beneficial  use  of 
water  being  the  basis  of  all  Government  water  rights, 


16 

the  wasteful  use  of  water  is  prohibited.  Existence  of 
waste  water  will  be  considered  evidence  of  excessive 
supply. 

18.  Drainage.  The  water  user  shall  be  individually 
responsible  for  drainage  water  from  his  particular 
lands.  No  such  drainage  water  shall  be  turned  into 
the  canals,  wasteways,  or  laterals  of  the  Reclamation 
Service,  directly  or  indirectly,  except  upon  written 
permission  or  license  from  the  project  engineer. 

CANAL  DIVISION 

19.  Organization,  If  at  any  time  water  users  desire 
to  take  advantage  of  the  provisions  of  the  by-laws  of 
the  water  users'  association  regarding  canal  divisions, 
for  the  purpose  of  taking  over  the  operation  and  main- 
tenance of  portions  of  the  lateral  and  sublateral  system 
now  operated  and  maintained  by  the  Reclamation  Serv- 
ice, they  should  submit,  through  the  water  users'  asso- 
ciation, for  approval  of  the  project  engineer,  the 
boundaries  of  such  division  and  the  proposed  plan  of 
operation  thereof. 

20.  Delivery  of  tcater.  The  Reclamation  Service  will, 
upon  the  making  of  a  proper  contract  relative  thereto, 
deliver  at  the  head  of  the  distributing  system  supplying 
water  for  said  canal  division,  the  water  therefor,  to  be 
distributed  by  the  authorized  agent  of  the  canal  divi- 
sion, in  accordance  with  the  said  provisions  and  the 
instructions  hereby  established,  or  which  may  hereafter 
be  established  therefor. 

INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  EMPLOYEES  WHOSE  DUTIES  PERTAIN 
TO  OPERATION  AND  MAINTENANCE 

21.  Objects  of  operation  and  maintenance  depart- 
ment. The  department  of  operation  and  maintenance 
has  for  its  principal  objects  the  delivery  of  water  to  the 
various  water  users  according  to  their  water-right 
application  or  contracts,  the  maintenance  of  the  canal 


17 

and  lateral  systems  up  to  the  point  of  highest  efficiency, 
the  development  and  improvement  of  such  methods  of 
operation  and  distribution  of  water  as  will  lead  to  a 
saving  in  the  amount  of  water  necessary  to  be  diverted 
at  each  lateral,  and  the  prevention,  so  far  as  possible,  of 
the  wasteful  use  of  water,  over-irrigation,  and  the 
resultant  evils  of  water-logged  and  alkali  lands. 

22.  Cooperation  by  employees.  It  is  necessary,  in 
order  to  obtain  these  results,  that  every  employee  enter 
into  his  work  with  a  spirit  of  hearty  cooperation,  and 
throughout  his  service  keep  these  objects  clearly  in 
mind.  Any  suggestions  from  the  patrolmen,  or  other 
employees,  leading  to  a  betterment  of  the  service,  will 
be  gladly  received,  and  if  found  practicable,  will  be 
adopted.  Detailed  instructions  and  orders  for  the  guid- 
ance of  this  department  will  be  issued  from  time  to 
time  from  the  office  of  the  project  engineer,  and  it  is 
expected  that  they  will  be  obeyed  to  the  letter.  Suc- 
cessful operation  is  impossible  unless  such  instructions 
are  promptly  obeyed,  and  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  add 
that  failure  in  this  respect  means  prompt  dismissal 
from  the  service. 

23.  Communications y  orders  and  circulars.  All  com- 
munications and  operating  circulars  issued  by  the  proj- 
ect engineer,  or  the  superintendent  of  irrigation,  must 
be  acknowledged  by  letter  as  soon  as  received,  and  in 
case  there  is  not  a  clear  understanding  of  the  same, 
further  explanation  should  be  requested.  All  written 
orders  and  circulars  should  be  filed  for  future  reference 
and  guidance  in  the  work.  As  nearly  as  possible  each 
circular  will  be  confined  to  one  subject.  It  will  be 
advisable  for  the  patrolman  to  read  over  the  circulars 
and  instructions  from  time  to  time,  in  order  to  keep 
them  at  all  times  fresh  in  his  mind. 

24.  Definition  of  terms  used.  WTien  the  following 
terms  occur  in  the  text,  the  definition  here  given  is  to 
be  assumed : 

Canal.  The  principal  arteries  or  conduits  of  an  irri- 


18 

gation  system,  including  the  main  canal  and  prin- 
cipal branches. 

Lateral.  Any  irrigation  conduit  which  branches  from 
the  canal. 

Siihlateral.  Any  irrigation  conduit  which  branches 
from  a  lateral,  and  including  all  its  branches  and 
divisions  down  to  the  point  of  delivery. 

Operation,  That  part  of  the  process  of  using  an  irri- 
gation system  which  consists  of  the  collection, 
transmission  and  delivery  of  water.  To  this 
account  the  following  should  be  charged : 

(a)  The  necessary  expense  of  operation. 

(b)  The  expense  of  patroling,  and  other  work 
necessary  to  prevent  damage  to  the  .system 
from  any  cause  whatever. 

(c)  The  expense  of  such  repairs  during  the  irri- 
gation season  as  are  incident  to  the  operation 
of  the  irrigation  system  and  necessary  to 
insure  the  continuous  delivery  of  water. 

(d)  Labor  cost  of  all  repairs,  of  whatever  nature, 
made  during  the  irrigation  season  by  regular 
operating  employees. 

Maintenance.  That  ijart  of  the  process  of  using  an 
irrigation  system  which  consists  of  keeping  the 
same  up  to  a  fair  standard  of  excellence.  To  this 
account  the  following  should  be  charged : 

(a)  The  expense  of  all  repairs  during  the  non- 
irrigation  season,  and  all  repairs  during  the 
irrigation  season  not  incident  to  and  made 
necessary  by  the  operation  of  the  irrigation 
system. 

(b)  The  expense  of  cleaning  canals,  laterals,  and 
sublaterals,  cutting  weeds,  etc. 

(c)  The  expense  of  all  new  work  necessary  to 
replace  worn  out  parts  of  the  system. 

(d)  The  expense  of  improving  parts  of  the  pres- 
ent system  for  the  benefit  of  operation,  not 
chargeable  to  construction. 


19 

Superintendent  of  irrigation.  The  officer  in  personal 
supervision  of  the  operation  and  maintenance  of 
an  irrigation  system. 

Beat,  That  portion  of  an  irrigation  system  under 
the  personal  charge  of  a  patrolman  or  ditch  rider. 

Patrolman,  The  person  employed  by  the  Reclamation 
Service,  or  the  canal  division,  to  ride  or  patrol  the 
ditch  or  to  tend  the  gates — sometimes  called  ditch 
rider,  ditch  tender,  or  gate  tender — and  who  is 
in  immediate  charge  of  some  designated  portion  of 
the  irrigation  works. 

Duties  of  Patrolmen 

DAILY   routine 

25.  Patrolmen  will  report  to  headquarters  at  6:30 
o'clock  a.  m.  every  day  by  telephone,  and  when  on  field 
duty,  from  each  telephone  along  their  route.  They  shall 
start  to  work  at  7  o'clock  a.  m.,  carrying  a  shovel,  at 
least  four  sacks,  report  cards,  and  a  water-supply  book, 
and  otlier  tools  and  material  when  necessary. 

20.  A  good  saddle  horse,  trained  to  stand,  should  be 
used,  or,  when  authorized,  a  horse  and  light  buggy,  in 
order  to  carry  other  tools  or  material.  Each  patrolman 
will  provide  his  own  horse  and  horse  feed,  and  neces- 
sary personal  equipment.  Tools  and  material  will  be 
furnished  by  the  Reclamation  Service. 

27.  The  first  duty  of  a  patrolman  is  to  ride  such  por- 
tions of  the  canal  as  are  included  in  his  beat.  He  must 
find  out  by  careful  examination  that  this  portion  of  the 
canal  is  safe  before  taking  up  the  other  work  of  the 
day.  He  must  feel  that  the  responsibility  for  the  safety 
of  this  portion  of  the  system  rests  entirely  upon  him, 
and  let  the  patrol  of  his  beat  take  precedence  over  all 
other  work,  excepting  only  an  emergency  that  requires 
prompt  attention  to  prevent  accident.  Every  fill 
requires  careful  watching  and  examination,  especially  at 


20 

times  when  additional  water  is  turned  into  the  canal, 
thereby  raising  the  water  level  upon  the  banks.  A  care- 
ful examination  should  be  made  at  such  times  just 
above  the  water  line  on  all  fills,  in  order  to  discover 
rat  or  gopher  holes,  cracks,  or  crevices,  which  if  not 
repaired  or  puddled  might  become  the  cause  of  a  serious 
break. 

28.  All  structures  along  the  route  must  be  inspected, 
and  if  repairs  are  needed  which  cannot  be  made  by  the 
patrolman,  detailed  notes  should  be  taken  of  what  is 
needed,  and  report  made  to  the  proper  official  at  the 
first  opportunity. 

29.  Weeds  and  other  floating  debris  should  be  kept 
out  of  the  ditches.  The  small  pipe  intakes  require 
particular  watching  when  there  are  weeds  in  the 
ditches. 

30.  While  riding  the  canal  on  his  beat,  the  patrolman 
will  read  and  record  the  gage  height,  and  the  time  of 
reading,  at  each  outlet  and  canal  gage,  and  will  regu- 
late the  flow  of  water  at  each  point  in  accordance  with 
the  requirements.  Where  it  is  necessary  to  change  the 
quantity  of  water  flowing  in  canals  or  laterals,  readings 
must  be  taken  both  before  and  after  regulating. 

31.  The  patrolman  will  be  expected  to  put  in  as 
many  hours  each  day  as  may  be  necessary  for  the 
successful  prosecution  of  his  work,  and  be  ready  to 
respond  to  emergency  calls  at  any  hour  of  the  day  or 
night. 

32.  After  the  canal  is  patrolled,  whatever  time  is 
necessary  should  be  used  in  regulating  individual 
deliveries  to  the  water  users  on  the  beat,  in  accordance 
with  instructions  hereinafter  contained. 

33.  When  not  engaged  in  patroling  the  canal  or  deliv- 
ering water,  the  patrolman  should  make  use  of  his 
time  by  cleaning  fills  and  making  small  repairs  on 
canals  and  laterals  in  his  district,  removing  weeds  or 
drift  from  canals,  cleaning  out  pools  above  head  weirs, 
etc.    When  weeds  or  other  like  material  are  removed 


21 

from  canals,  they  should  be  disposed  of  in  such  manner 
that  they  cannot  be  again  bloAvn  into  the  ditch,  or 
elsewhere,  to  cause  further  trouble.  In  burning  weeds 
great  care  should  be  taken  to  prevent  damage  to  prop- 
erty of  farmers,  or  to  canal  structures,  fences,  or  tele- 
phone poles. 

34.  The  patrolman  should  poison,  drown,  trap,  or 
otherwise  destroy  gophers,  sage  rats,  or  other  burrow- 
ing animals  that  injure  the  canal  banks.  A  sharp 
lookout  should  be  kept  for  muskrats  in  the  canal.  Their 
presence  should  be  reported,  and  they  should  be  killed 
whenever  possible.  All  fills  should  be  kept  clean  of 
weeds,  willows,  or  brush,  to  facilitate  the  discovery  of 
rat  holes,  seepage,  leaks,  or  other  evidence  of  weakness 
in  the  fills. 

35.  The  patrolman  will  be  held  responsible  for  the 
safety  and  the  proper  operation  and  maintenance  of 
the  canals  and  laterals  on  his  beat.  The  main  canal 
should  always  be  first  in  mind,  and  no  effort  should  be 
spared  to  insure  its  safety  day  or  night.  People  along 
the  canal  should  be  urged  to  respond  promptly  to  calls 
for  help  in  case  of  emergency,  and  to  give  alarm  at  once 
in  case  of  a  break.  Breaks  or  other  accidents  beyond 
the  control  of  the  patrolman,  should  be  reported  at  once 
to  the  project  headquarters,  also  to  the  watermaster, 
should  there  be  one. 

REPORTS  BY  TELEPHONE 

36.  The  patrolman  will  report  to  headquarters  by 
telephone  at  6:30  o'clock  a.  m.  He  will  give  the  gage 
and  time  readings  at  his  stations,  and  receive  at  the 
same  time  any  special  instructions  for  the  day. 

37.  Upon  arriving  at  the  end  of  his  beat,  the  patrol- 
man will  by  telephone  report  to  headquarters  the  read- 
ing of  each  gage  on  canals,  and  at  all  outlets,  giving 
time  each  gage  was  read. 

38.  Great  care  must  be  used  in  making  these  readings 
and  reporting  them  correctly,  as  the  proper  distribution 


22 

of  water  and  the  operation  of  the  canal  depend  upon 
having  an  accurate  and  complete  daily  record  of  the 
water  in  all  parts  of  the  irrigation  system. 

RECORDS  AND  MAIL  REPORTS 

39.  The  patrolman  will  be  furnished  all  report  and 
record  blanks  necessary  for  his  use,  which  in  general 
are  as  follows : 

40.  Daily  water  record,  Form  7-308.  This  form  is 
the  most  important  record  in  connection  with  operation 
and  maintenance  work,  and  should  be  filled  out  by  the 
patrolman  or  other  person  in  charge  of  the  delivery  or 
measurement  of  water.  It  contains  all  the  essential 
information  upon  which  other  records  are  based,  and 
the  greatest  care  must  be  used  to  correctly  gather  and 
enter  the  information  required.  It  must  be  filled  out 
daily  as  the  work  progresses,  all  gage  height  readings 
being  entered  in  the  proper  column  as  the  gages  are 
read,  together  with  the  number  of  the  structure,  num- 
ber or  name  of  canal,  lateral,  etc.,  with  any  additional 
information  necessary  to  identify  the  structure  at 
which  the  reading  was  taken.  These  cards  should  also 
show  each  individual  water  delivery  visited  by  the 
patrolman  during  the  day.  It  is  expected  that  the 
patrolman  will  visit  every  delivery  on  his  beat  at  least 
once  a  month,  and  as  much  oftener  as  possible.  These 
cards  should  also  be  used  to  report  all  complaints  of 
water  users,  and  requests  to  have  water  turned  on  or 
off,  together  with  action  taken  in  each  case.  All  infor- 
mation should  be  entered  in  the  proper  column  as  it  is 
gathered^  and  should  never  be  left  until  the  day's  work 
is  done.  When  the  day's  record  is  complete,  the  cards 
should  be  forwarded  by  mail  to  the  superintendent  of 
irrigation. 

41.  Card  for  requesting  delivery  or  stoppage  of  water. 
Form  7-307.  A  supply  of  these  cards  should  always  be 
<:arried  by  the  patrolman  on  his  beat  for  the  conven- 
ience of  the  water  users.    When  a  water  user  requests 


23 

that  water  be  turned  on,  or  off,  or  the  amount  of  deliv- 
ery changed,  he  should  fill  out  one  of  these  cards,  and  it 
should  then  be  mailed  to  the  superintendent  of  irriga- 
tion. 

42.  Time  sheet  and  daily  force  report.  This  blank 
will  be  used  to  record  the  patrolman's  time,  and  that  of 
any  employee  working  under  his  direction,  and  should 
be  mailed  weekly  to  the  superintendent  of  irrigation. 
For  fractional  weeks  at  the  end  of  a  month,  they  should 
be  mailed  on  the  last  day  of  the  month.  Especial  care 
should  be  taken  whenever  it  is  necessary  to  use  account 
numbers,  to  see  that  correct  numbers  are  used,  and  that 
proper  distinction  is  made  between  charges  to  main- 
tenance and  to  operation.  When  in  doubt  as  to  the 
proper  number  to  use,  advice  should  be  obtained  from 
headquarters.  Do  not  use  operation  account  numbers 
during  the  non-irrigation  season. 

43.  House  diary.  The  patrolman  will  be  furnished  a 
diary,  in  which  he  will  keep  a  record  of  gage  heights 
in  the  canals,  the  time  of  reading  same,  and  a  record 
of  any  extraordinary  changes  in  the  gage  heights,  with 
reasons  therefor,  if  they  are  known.  Complaints,  or 
other  matters  of  importance,  which  were  entered  on  the 
daily  water  record  cards,  should  be  recorded  in  greater 
detail  in  the  house  diary. 

Any  complaints  or  other  matters  which  cannot  be 
adjusted  by  the  patrolman  within  the  authority  given 
him  under  his  regular  instructions,  should  be  reported 
by  him  to  the  superintendent  of  irrigation.  Suitable 
record  should  be  made  of  the  instructions  received  from 
the  superintendent  of  irrigation,  and  of  the  final  action 
taken  in  each  case.  No  effort  should  be  spared  to  have 
the  records  contain  all  data  that  may  be  of  use  to  the 
Service,  and  to  keep  them  in  a  neat  and  legible  manner. 

DELIVERY  OF  WATER 

44.  One  of  the  most  important  functions  of  the 
patrolman  is  the  delivery  of  water  to  the  various  water 


24 

users  in  accordance  with  the  contract  obligations  of  the 
Reclamation  Service.  This  must  be  done  at  all  times  in 
a  just  and  impartial  manner,  and  in  exact  accordance 
with  instructions  received. 

It  is  the  earnest  desire  of  the  Reclamation  Service 
to  further  in  every  possible  way  the  success  of  the  indi- 
vidual water  user  and  the  highest  development  of  the 
lands  under  the  project.  It  is  also  absolutely  essential 
to  conserve  to  the  greatest  degree  the  available  water 
supply. 

WATER  SUPPLY  BOOK 

45.  Each  patrolman  will  be  furnished  with  a  water 
supply  book,  which  will  contain  the  names  of  all  water 
users,  and  a  description  of  their  lands,  with  full  infor- 
mation as  to  the  amount  of  water  to  be  delivered  to 
each. 

The  instructions  contained  in  the  water  supply  book 
must  be  followed  in  every  detail,  and  must  never  be 
deviated  from  without  written  instructions  from  the 
superintendent  of  irrigation. 

Water  users  are  entitled  to  know  at  any  time  the 
basis  upon  which  their  water  is  being  delivered,  and 
when  such  information  is  requested,  it  should  be  cheer- 
fully furnished  by  the  patrolman  from  his  water  supply 
book. 

WATER  MEASUREMENTS 

46.  It  is  extremely  important  that  all  gage  readings 
and  water  measurements  are  properly  made  and  cor- 
rectly reported.  It  is  also  essential,  in  order  that  the 
reports  may  be  of  use,  that  all  weirs,  measuring  boxes, 
or  other  measuring  devices,  shall  be  kept  in  such  con- 
dition that  the  quantities  actually  delivered  will  agree 
closely  with  the  quantities  computed  from  the  gage 
readings. 

TELEPHONE    LINES 

47.  Important  causes  of  trouble.  When  trouble 
occurs  on  the  telephone  system,  prompt  action  should 


25 

be  taken  to  have  it  repaired.  This  will  shorten  the 
periods  when  the  lines  cannot  be  used.  Three  impor- 
tant causes  of  trouble  on  telephone  lines  are  burning 
out,  or  breaking  of  wires  in  fuse  blocks;  short  circuit 
of  line ;  and  breaking  of  wire. 

48.  Fuse  burning  out.  The  two  little  strips  of  mica 
with  a  fine  wire  in  the  mica  are  the  fuses  intended  to 
protect  the  instrument  from  damage  by  lightning  or 
heavy  currents.  When  the  lines  are  struck  by  lightning 
these  fine  wires  melt  and  break  the  circuit.  Each 
instrument  will  be  supplied  with  a  few  extra  fuses 
which  can  be  used  to  replace  those  burned  out. 

49.  Sho7*t  circuit.  When  two  wires  on  the  telephone 
line  touch  it  short  circuits  the  line  so  that  it  is  impos- 
sible to  ring  any  station,  though  it  is  often  possible  to 
hear  a  conversation  going  on  over  the  line.  When 
wires  are  discovered  touching,  they  should  be  separated, 
and  fixed  so  that  they  cannot  touch  again. 

50.  If  the  generator  works  harder  than  usual,  it  is 
a  pretty  good  sign  that  there  is  a  short  circuit  on  the 
line.  It  is  not  likely  that  any  one  could  be  called  in 
such  case,  but  the  effort  should  be  made  nevertheless. 
In  case  it  is  not  possible  to  obtain  another  station,  the 
beat  should  be  immediately  patrolled  in  search  of  the 
short  circuit. 

51.  Broken  wire.  When  the  generator  on  the  tele- 
phone turns  very  easily  it  is  an  evidence  of  a  break  in 
the  line.  When  this  occurs,  an  attempt  should  be  made 
to  call  the  next  station  above  and  below,  in  order  to 
locate  the  break.  If  the  next  station  cannot  be  raised, 
those  farther  above  and  below  should  be  tried.  If  no 
answer  can  be  obtained,  it  is  pretty  sure  that  the  break 
in  the  line  is  on  the  beat  where  the  telephone  is  located. 
The  line  should  be  immediately  traced  above  and  below 
the  station  where  the  trouble  is  until  the  break  is 
located.  If  not  found  on  this  beat,  the  next  patrolman 
should  be  notified,  and  he  should  patrol  his  beat. 

52.  In  case  of  a  broken  wire  on  the  circuit,  the  two 


26 

pieces  should  be  connected  with  baling  wire,  or  any 
other  kind  obtainable.  The  ends  of  the  wires  should  be 
scraped,  to  make  good  contact.  The  wires  should  be 
fastened  to  the  poles  in  such  way  that  the  wires  do  not 
touch  each  other  or  the  ground.  After  this  temporary 
repair  is  made,  the  headquarters  office  should  be  imme- 
diately notified. 

53.  If  a  patrolman  is  not  called  by  the  headquarters 
office  at  least  once  a  day,  he  should  call  up  that  office  to 
be  sure  that  the  telephone  is  in  working  order.  The 
receiver  should  never  be  left  off  the  hook.  If  necessary 
to  leave  the  instrument,  the  receiver  should  be  hung  up 
instead  of  being  laid  down. 

54.  These  instructions  must  be  followed  carefully  by 
each  man  on  the  line,  and  it  will  seldom  happen  that 
the  system  will  be  out  of  service  for  more  than  an  hour 
or  two. 

COOPERATION   WITH   HYDROGRAPHER 

55.  The  patrolman  must  at  all  times  render  alll  pos- 
sible assistance  to  the  hydrographer  consistent  with  the 
safety  of  his  beat.  The  work  of  the  hydrographer  is  of 
the  utmost  importance  to  the  successful  operation  of 
the  canal,  and  the  accuracy  of  his  results  depends  to  a 
large  degree  upon  the  proper  handling  of  the  flash- 
boards  and  other  regulating  works  by  the  patrolman. 

RESPONSIBILITY  FOR  CARE  OF  GOVERNMENT  PROPERTY 

56.  Each  patrolman  will  be  held  responsible  for  the 
proper  care  of  all  tools  and  equipment  and  other  Gov- 
ernment property  under  his  supervision.  This  applies 
especially  to  the  patrol  houses  and  grounds,  which  have 
been  provided  at  considerable  expense,  and  which 
should  be  kept  neat  and  attractive  in  appearance  by  the 
patrolmen  who  have  the  use  of  them. 

ENCROACHMENT  ON  GOVERNMENT  PROPERTY 

57.  Private  structures.  Patrolmen  and  other  em- 
ployees should  not  allow  any  private  structure  to  be 


iTklcinckrl 


27 


placed  upon  property  belonging  to  the  United  States, 
except  on  the  presentation  of  written  permission  or 
license,  signed  by  the  proper  ofiQcer. 

58.  Reporting  encroachments.  It  is  the  duty  of 
patrolman,  or  of  any  other  employee  of  the  operating 
department,  to  report  promptly  to  the  superintendent 
of  irrigation  whenever  it  is  found  that  any  person  is 
in  any  way  encroaching  upon  Government  property,  as 
by  the  building  of  fences  or  flumes  on  rights  of  way 
which  should  be  kept  open,  the  building  of  bridges  or 
other  structures  across  canals  or  laterals,  the  building 
of  telephone  lines  or  power  transmission  lines  on  or 
across  Government  rights  of  way  or  where  the  same 
might  interfere  with  the  operation  of  the  Reclamation 
Service  telephone  line,  the  building  of  any  structure 
whatsoever  upon  Government  property,  or  of  any  other 
trespass.  Any  such  encroachment  must  be  reported 
promptly,  even  though  the  trespassers  claim  to  have 
proper  permit  from  the  Reclamation  Service. 

59.  Interference  tvith  floio  of  tcater  in  irrigation 
ti'orks.  Any  interference  in  any  way  with  the  flow  of 
water  in  any  of  the  irrigation  works  which  are  operated 
by  the  Reclamation  Service  should  be  reported 
promptly  to  the  superintendent  of  irrigation.  This 
applies  not  only  to  malicious  or  mischievous  interfer- 
ence and  to  unlawful  appropriation  of  water,  but  to 
such  cases  as  the  turning  back  of  water  into  the  canals, 
laterals,  or  sublaterals  without  notice  to  the  proper 
officer.  This  latter  practice  is  the  cause  of  a  great  deal 
of  trouble,  especially  toward  the  end  of  the  irrigation 
season,  creating,  as  it  does,  a  surplus  of  water -at  the 
lower  end  of  the  system,  resulting  in  excessive  waste 
water,  and  often  in  serious  damage  to  irrigation  works, 
crops,  and  property  of  water  users  at  the  lower  end  of 
the  laterals. 

MAINTENANCE  OF  CANALS 

60.  General  repairs.  The  larger  part  of  the  work 
necessary  to  repair  the  canal  and  that  part  of  the  lat- 


28 

era!  system  which  the  Government  is  obligated  to  keep 
in  good  condition  is  usually  carried  on  by  crews 
organized  for  this  purpose  after  the  water  is  turned 
out  of  the  canal  in  the  fall,  and  completed  between  the 
close  of  one  irrigation  season  and  the  opening  of 
another. 

61.  Minor  or  protective  repairs.  The  minor  repairs 
necessary  during  the  irrigation  season,  when  the  water 
is  in  the  canal,  are  usually  made  by  the  patrolman,  and 
if  not  too  great  in  magnitude  are  considered  part  of  his 
regular  duties. 

62.  Reporting  repairs  needed.  It  is  the  duty  of  each 
patrolman  to  report  at  once  to  the  superintendent  of 
irrigation  the  discovery  of  any  weak  places,  giving  a 
full  and  complete  description  of  the  situation,  and  his 
opinion  of  what  work  appears  necessary  to  safeguard  it. 

63.  Authority,  In  general  the  patrolman  will  not  be 
authorized  to  employ  men  or  teams  for  any  work,  with- 
out first  obtaining  such  authority  from  the  superintend- 
ent of  irrigation.  This  order,  however,  does  not  apply 
to  emergency  cases  where  prompt  work  is  required,  as, 
for  instance  to  prevent  a  break,  or  a  serious  injury  to 
any  part  of  the  Government  property.  In  such  cases 
the  patrolman  is  authorized  and  directed  to  employ 
such  force  and  to  do  such  work  as  in  his  judgment  may 
be  immediately  required.  In  any  case,  however,  the 
employment  of  such  additional  force  must  be  reported 
at  once  to  the  superintendent  of  irrigation. 

64.  Weeds.  All  thistles,  tumble  weeds,  and  other 
vegetable  growth  which  can  be  readily  burned,  must  be 
destroyed  by  fire  in  the  early  months  of  the  irrigation 
season. 

65.  Clear  fills.  It  is  important  that  all  fills  be  kept 
free  from  vegetable  growth,  such  as  thistles,  tumble 
weeds,  willows,  etc.,  throughout  the  entire  length  of  the 
canals  and  the  main  laterals.  If  the  banks  of  fills  are 
kept  free  and  not  covered  by  vegetable  growth,  a  better 
opportunity  is  afforded  the  patrolman  to  discover  weak 
places,  seepage  conditions,  or  incipient  breaks. 


29 

66.  Burrowing  animals.  The  patrolman  is  expected 
to  pay  especial  attention  to  ridding  the  banks  of  the 
canals  and  laterals  throughout  his  beat,  of  all  burrow- 
ing animals,  including  muskrats,  and  he  will  be  fur- 
nished with  the  proper  means  of  extermination,  with 
full  information  on  the  subject. 

MAINTENANCE   OF   LATERALS   AND   SUBLATERALS 

67.  The  policy  of  the  Reclamation  Service  in  this 
district  in  regard  to  the  maintenance  of  canals,  laterals, 
and  sublaterals,  may  be  stated  in  general  as  follows : 

68.  Where  canal  divisions  have  been  organized,  the 
maintenance  of  the  canals,  laterals,  and  sublaterals, 
and  all  other  irrigation  works  within  the  boundaries  of 
the  canal  division,  will  be  defined  by  contract  with  the 
water  users'  association  creating  such  canal  divisions. 

69.  Where  canal  divisions  have  not  been  organized, 
the  Reclamation  Service  will  maintain  and  keep  in 
repair  all  canals,  laterals,  and  sublaterals,  which  have 
a  carrying  capacity  of  ten  cubic  feet  per  second  and 
over,  and  the  farmers  or  water  users  will  be  obligated 
to  maintain  and  keep  in  order  all  canals,  laterals,  and 
sublaterals  having  a  capacity  of  less  than  ten  cubic  feet 
per  second. 

70.  All  the  canals,  laterals,  and  sublaterals  on  each 
beat  or  canal  division  must  be  inspected  before  the 
beginning  of  each  irrigation  season,  and  should  it  be 
found  that  any  portion  of  the  system  is  not  in  proper 
condition  for  successful  operation,  report  in  detail  cov- 
ering the  matter  and  making  recommendations  as  to 
work  to  be  done,  must  be  made  to  the  superintendent  of 
irrigation  at  least  one  month  prior  to  the  beginning  of 
the  irrigation  season. 

71.  Water  must  not  be  turned  into  any  canal  or  sub- 
lateral  until  the  same  is  cleaned  out,  repaired,  and 
placed  in  a  serviceable  condition  to  deliver  water,  and 
the  gates  to  the  turnouts  or  headings  of  such  canals. 


30 

laterals,  and  sublaterals  must  be  kept  securely  locked 
until  the  work  has  been  performed  in  a  manner  satisfac- 
tory to  the  Reclamation  Service. 

If  at  any  time  during  the  irrigation  season  the  patrol- 
man finds  any  canal,  lateral,  or  sublateral  becoming 
unfit  for  operation  on  account  of  silting  up,  growth  of 
weeds,  or  any  other  cause,  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  report 
the  same  in  writing  to  the  superintendent  of  irrigation, 
stating  what  in  his  opinion  should  be  done  to  remedy 
the  matter.  Upon  receipt  of  such  report  the  superin- 
tendent of  irrigation  will  take  the  necessary  steps  to 
put  the  works  reported  on  in  the  proper  condition.  If 
the  works  are  maintained  by  the  Reclamation  Service 
and  it  is  necessary  to  stop  delivery  of  water  in  order  to 
make  repairs,  advance  notice  will  be  sent  to  each  water 
user,  stating  date  water  will  be  turned  off,  and  approxi- 
mate length  of  time.  If  the  works  are  maintained  by 
the  canal  division  or  the  water  users'  association, 
notice  will  be  sent  to  the  proper  parties  to  the  effect 
that  if  the  works  are  not  put  in  satisfactory  condition 
by  a  stated  time,  water  will  be  turned  off  until 
attended  to. 

72.  The  patrolman  is  especially  instructed  to  see  that 
all  works  are  put  in  serviceable  condition  and  kept  so 
throughout  the  season,  that  they  may  be  easily  regu- 
lated and  a  satisfactory  delivery  of  water  maintained, 
for  it  must  be  distinctly  understood  that  the  Reclama- 
tion Service  will  not  undertake  to  operate  a  canal, 
lateral,  or  sublateral  that  is  filled  with  silt,  or  grown 
up  with  weeds,  willows,  or  other  growths  that  impede 
the  free  flow  of  water. 

Approved,  April  1,  1911 : 

0.  H.  SWIGART^ 

Supervising  Engineer. 


?  ' 


''\,. 


^y^x 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 

Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


i t50ct'*S!^»'f 


^?co 


M  13  1966 


*>^R25I983 


>.j  :)^ 


rk'ci  circ.  APR  2  ^  1i'83 


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1 

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1 

LD  21A-60m-3,'65 
(F2336sl0)476B 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


